Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate approved the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects and a Thune sponsored energy initiative.... Continue Reading
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed S. 3023, the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which includes a provision authored by Senator John Thune that would make the annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, for disabled veterans automatic and permanent. Under current law, Congress must vote to approve an annual... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to leaders in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging the reauthorization of the Adoption Incentives Program. Without Congressional reauthorization, the program will expire on September 30th. “Adoptive parents are heroes in the lives... Continue Reading
Today Senators John Thune (R-SD), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Ben Nelson (D-NE) sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer, which specifies Congressional intent and correct interpretation of statute for a new 2008 Farm Bill safety net option, the Average Crop Revenue... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the U.S. Senate’s passage of an $8 billion infusion of funding to the Highway Trust Fund. Last week, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation notified Congress that the Highway Trust Fund was expected to experience a funding shortfall that would reduce transportation dollars that are... Continue Reading
Members of the South Dakota Farmers Union will present Senator John Thune with the Golden Triangle Award later today, the National Farmers Union’s highest distinction for government service. Senator Thune will be recognized for his leadership in helping write the 2008 Farm Bill. Senator Thune, a member of the Senate... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today called for the U.S. Senate to act on the bipartisan Build America Bonds Act (S. 2021), which he introduced last year along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), as a way to address the growing number of critical transportation infrastructure projects that need funding across the country.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement regarding Senator John McCain’s pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate: “Governor Palin is a great addition to the ticket. This decision proves John McCain is serious about changing Washington. Her experience as a reform-minded governor and a... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today toured the Heartland Consumers Power District’s Wessington Springs Wind Project. The facility outside Wessington Springs will be one of the largest wind farms in South Dakota when completed. “America needs to diversify the energy sources that fuel over everyday lives. I believe South Dakota wind power... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer at Dakotafest in Mitchell, where the two participated in a forum and took questions from the audience. The two discussed renewable energy and second-generation biofuels.
Senator John Thune today met with noted energy investor T. Boone Pickens to discuss South Dakota’s wind energy potential. Mr. Pickens is spearheading a national campaign to transition America’s energy policy. Pickens’ plan calls for the expansion of wind energy generation, transmission, and storage infrastructure. “T. Boone Pickens, who has... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune, as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Energy, Science and Technology Subcommittee, conducted a public hearing today on transforming forest waste into biofuels. Despite the fact that ethanol can be produced from a host of different feedstocks, the definition of “Renewable Biomass” in the final version... Continue Reading
